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Integrated transcriptome and data-independent acquisition proteome analysis of the biosynthesis of Monascus azaphilone pigments and citrinin
No full textMonascus azaphilone pigments (MPs) are widely used functional food additives. However, Monascus may simultaneously produce the mycotoxin citrinin (CIT), compromising MPs safety. Here, we used comparative genome, transcriptome, and quantitative data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) proteome analyses to compare three representative Monascus purpureus strains: M3 with high MPs and high CIT titers, M34 with high MPs and low CIT titers, and M69 with low titers of both products. Comparative genomic analysis confirmed high similarity among these strains. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were identified by pairwise comparisons among the strains during peak metabolite production, and selected DEGs and DAPs were verified by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and parallel reaction monitoring. An integrated analysis revealed DEG/DAPs correlating with altered MPs and CIT production, providing insights for strain breeding to engineer safer and more efficient MPs production processes in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.</p
Parametric study of sewage sludge gasification in air and steam environments:Experimental and process simulation
No full textGasification of sewage sludge (SS) is a thermochemical process which converts sludge into a value-added syngas, offering a sustainable alternative treatment to conventional disposal methods such as landfilling, land application, and incineration. This study investigates the gasification of dried sewage sludge in bubbling fluidized bed conditions, primarily focusing on the effects of key operating parameters such as bed temperature, equivalence ratio (ER) and steam-to-fuel ratio (S/F) on syngas composition. A total of 36 experiments were conducted, varying the bed temperatures (650 °C, 750 °C, and 850 °C), ER (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) and S/F (0.5, 1, and 1.5). The results indicate a direct correlation between the bed temperature and the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, while carbon dioxide and methane concentrations decreased with the increasing the bed temperature. The optimum ER was found to be at 0.2, yielding the highest hydrogen and carbon monoxide production. Increasing S/F favored hydrogen generation through the water gas shift reaction (H2O(g) + C(s) → H2 + CO). In addition, experimental results were further validated using Aspen Plus process simulation, which exhibited matching trends in syngas composition.</p
A Uniform Framework for Climate Change Adaptation of Critical Infrastructure Using Nature-Based Solutions
No full textWith climate change expected to intensify hazards across Europe, empowering communities and strengthening local adaptation is urgent. The challenge is bolstering the resilience of critical infrastructure (CI), which faces substantial risks. Transitioning from predominantly “grey” infrastructure to integrated “green-grey” solutions provides an effective way to safeguard societal and infrastructural assets against hazards and environmental degradation. Although several frameworks developed by international networks and regional authorities exist, they often fail to fully address the nuanced challenges of CI climate proofing, disaster risk reduction, and biodiversity protection. In response to these limitations and to address key societal challenges, the work here introduces an innovative, integrative blueprint framework. This framework synthesises existing approaches to CI climate adaptation, systematically strengthening resilience with nature-based solutions (NBS). The framework is partially applied and validated through the Public-Private-Civil Partnership (PPCP®) approach, and operationalised in two climatically distinct but heatwave-prone regions: Egaleo (Greece) and Helsinki (Finland). These Labs have promoted more inclusive policymaking by supporting collaboration among key stakeholders, encouraging knowledge sharing and co-designing strategies to advance NBS implementation for heatwave mitigation. The approach facilitated the design of interconnected activities and simplified technical details. Adapting methods to local needs, such as site visits and participatory mapping, has led to concrete outcomes. The prefeasibility analysis outcomes and the targeted NBS-based strategies identified from these areas ensure that solutions are culturally relevant, technically feasible, and collectively owned, incorporating local knowledge and fostering long-term sustainability
Review of existing data-driven initiatives and their relevance on plastics circularity
Get PDFThis research report explores how data-driven solutions could be transforming the circularity of plastics, emphasizing the growing importance of digital tools, standards, and regulatory frameworks in enabling sustainable practices across the plastics value chain. The report begins by clarifying the concept of data in the circular economy, highlighting its role in transparency, traceability, and informed decision-making. It notes that data can range from broad annual recycling statistics to granular, real-time process measurements, and stresses that high-quality, well-managed data is becoming essential for compliance and competitiveness, especially as new EU regulations demand detailed product and material information.The document reviews the current state of data-driven initiatives, such as Digital Product Passports (DPPs), which are being piloted in sectors like batteries and textiles. These passports compile lifecycle data to enhance transparency and support circular business models. The report also discusses advanced technologies that optimize polymer production and recycling, as well as machine vision and robotics for waste sorting.A part of the report is dedicated to standards and certification systems, such as ISCC PLUS, which ensure traceability and sustainability in recycled plastics. Recent European standards now differentiate between sorted plastics and recyclates and introduce classifications like Data Quality Levels (DQL) for digital trading, paving the way for broader adoption of Digital Product Passports.Cross-sectoral insights are provided, showing how data-driven circularity is being applied in electronics, food, and agriculture. The report highlights the evolution of data sharing technologies, the opportunities and challenges they present including privacy, security, interoperability and the regulatory landscape shaped by the EU Data Act, Data Governance Act, and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).Ultimately, the report concludes that robust data frameworks and collaborative data ecosystems are foundational for advancing plastics circularity. Organizations that invest in these areas will be best positioned to meet regulatory requirements and market demands, driving the transition to a more circular and sustainable economy. However, their success depends on thoughtful implementation, harmonized standards, and a clear strategic purpose for data collection and processing
Combustion of cables used in nuclear power plants
No full textThe combustion and subsequent reactions of cables found in nuclear power plants are investigated, including chlorosulfonated cables (CSPE cables) and a Low-smoke zero-halogen cables (LSZH cables). In some cases, the cables are irradiated with 1MGy of gamma radiation before combustion. Iodine is added to the gas phase to investigate the potential formation of organic iodides. The combustion process can be followed online with the help of FTIR. The combustion of the CSPE cable mainly releases HCl, SO2 and CS2 and aliphatic hydrocarbons. If the cables are pre-irradiated, the species released are largely the same, but the releases are lower. The LSZH cable required higher temperatures to pyrolyze and gave significant releases of acetaldehyde. This cable was not irradiated. The addition of iodine results in the formation of methyl iodide (CH3I) for the LSZH cable at 450°C. CH3I also reacts with other organics released in the combustion, forming isopropanol. The same happens for the unirradiated CSPE cable, but to a much lower degree.</p
Effect of Green Fuels on Marine Engine Lubrication
No full textHydrogen and ammonia have been considered as prominent fossil-free energy source candidates. While their combustion characteristics and emission profiles are well-documented, the implications for engine lubrication systems remain underexplored. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the effect of gaseous green fuels, specifically hydrogen and ammonia, and their influence on lubricants and the tribological performance of the lubricants. Applying a rapid and cost-effective lab-scale ageing process, the ageing effects of gas and gas admixtures were simulated and differentiated in a controlled environment. Detailed chemical, physical, and tribological analyses provide valuable insights into the different degradation outcomes of the lubricants with different exposing gases. The results revealed degradation of lubricant performance after ageing with the gases, due to changes in the lubricant chemistry and, in some cases, viscosity at 100 °C. In all cases, lubricant ageing introduced increase in friction coefficient between steel surfaces and impairment of the lubricant load-carrying capacity. The results obtained from this work will benefit the appropriate selection of lubricant alternatives for future engines utilizing green fuels and facilitate the development of more effective and durable lubrication solutions to support the broader adoption of hydrogen and ammonia as sustainable energy sources in internal combustion engines.</p
A Uniform Framework for Climate Change Adaptation of Critical Infrastructure Using Nature-Based Solutions
No full textWith climate change expected to intensify hazards across Europe, empowering communities and strengthening local adaptation is urgent. The challenge is bolstering the resilience of critical infrastructure (CI), which faces substantial risks. Transitioning from predominantly “grey” infrastructure to integrated “green-grey” solutions provides an effective way to safeguard societal and infrastructural assets against hazards and environmental degradation. Although several frameworks developed by international networks and regional authorities exist, they often fail to fully address the nuanced challenges of CI climate proofing, disaster risk reduction, and biodiversity protection. In response to these limitations and to address key societal challenges, the work here introduces an innovative, integrative blueprint framework. This framework synthesises existing approaches to CI climate adaptation, systematically strengthening resilience with nature-based solutions (NBS). The framework is partially applied and validated through the Public-Private-Civil Partnership (PPCP®) approach, and operationalised in two climatically distinct but heatwave-prone regions: Egaleo (Greece) and Helsinki (Finland). These Labs have promoted more inclusive policymaking by supporting collaboration among key stakeholders, encouraging knowledge sharing and co-designing strategies to advance NBS implementation for heatwave mitigation. The approach facilitated the design of interconnected activities and simplified technical details. Adapting methods to local needs, such as site visits and participatory mapping, has led to concrete outcomes. The prefeasibility analysis outcomes and the targeted NBS-based strategies identified from these areas ensure that solutions are culturally relevant, technically feasible, and collectively owned, incorporating local knowledge and fostering long-term sustainability
Review of existing data-driven initiatives and their relevance on plastics circularity
Get PDFThis research report explores how data-driven solutions could be transforming the circularity of plastics, emphasizing the growing importance of digital tools, standards, and regulatory frameworks in enabling sustainable practices across the plastics value chain. The report begins by clarifying the concept of data in the circular economy, highlighting its role in transparency, traceability, and informed decision-making. It notes that data can range from broad annual recycling statistics to granular, real-time process measurements, and stresses that high-quality, well-managed data is becoming essential for compliance and competitiveness, especially as new EU regulations demand detailed product and material information.The document reviews the current state of data-driven initiatives, such as Digital Product Passports (DPPs), which are being piloted in sectors like batteries and textiles. These passports compile lifecycle data to enhance transparency and support circular business models. The report also discusses advanced technologies that optimize polymer production and recycling, as well as machine vision and robotics for waste sorting.A part of the report is dedicated to standards and certification systems, such as ISCC PLUS, which ensure traceability and sustainability in recycled plastics. Recent European standards now differentiate between sorted plastics and recyclates and introduce classifications like Data Quality Levels (DQL) for digital trading, paving the way for broader adoption of Digital Product Passports.Cross-sectoral insights are provided, showing how data-driven circularity is being applied in electronics, food, and agriculture. The report highlights the evolution of data sharing technologies, the opportunities and challenges they present including privacy, security, interoperability and the regulatory landscape shaped by the EU Data Act, Data Governance Act, and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).Ultimately, the report concludes that robust data frameworks and collaborative data ecosystems are foundational for advancing plastics circularity. Organizations that invest in these areas will be best positioned to meet regulatory requirements and market demands, driving the transition to a more circular and sustainable economy. However, their success depends on thoughtful implementation, harmonized standards, and a clear strategic purpose for data collection and processing
Missions as relational scales of agency:urban leverage for transformative change
No full textThe mission-oriented innovation policy literature has recently attempted to address implementation challenges and identified research needs around the role of cities, scales and agency in implementation. We address these gaps and contribute to the literature, particularly on the spatial governance of mission-oriented innovation policies, through an integrated theoretical framework conceptualising missions as relational scales of agency. A case study of the mobility as a service (MaaS) concept in Finland enables us to identify and discuss scalar tensions related to MaaS failures. We conceptualise those as leverage points for transformative change that underscore the potential of urban policies in integrated transformative mission implementation.</p
Surface characteristics and repulpability performance of cellulose-fiber-based packaging materials coated with aqueous dispersions of wood-bark-derived suberin
No full textRecyclability is an important feature of packaging materials. Although packaging materials made from cellulose fibers such as those found in paper or paperboard can typically be recycled through repulping, the application of coatings, especially polymeric plastic coatings, often impairs their recyclability, leading to increased amounts of rejects and low fiber yields. Herein, the surface properties and repulpability performance of paperboard substrates coated with aqueous dispersion of wood bark-derived suberin, stabilized using synthetic surfactants or bio-based surfactants, were investigated. The results were compared with commercial polyethylene coated material. Surface properties of the materials were investigated through surface imaging, water absorption, and wettability measurements. Repulpability was evaluated based on the amounts of rejects after two screening stages. Fiber analysis was performed for the materials that passed both the screenings. All suberin-coated materials showed hydrophilic surface characteristics and greater water absorbency than the reference material. Repulpability analysis revealed that the suberin coatings resulted in a lower amount of rejects than coated reference material. These results highlight the potential of suberin coatings in developing recyclable and sustainable packaging solutions for cellulose fiber substrates